01-16-2008, 06:58 AM
A nurse on an inpatient internal medicine ward comes to see the attending physician. While drawing blood for routine laboratory tests ordered by the medical staff, the nurse inadvertently stuck herself with a hypodermic needle, in which were several drops of the patient's
blood. The nurse is anxious, and wants the physician to order that the patient's existing blood sample be tested for HIV. The physician is aware that the patient has a history of homosexual encounters, although neither the physician nor the nurse are aware of the patient's HIV status. At this point, the physician should do which of the following?
A. Assure the nurse that the probability of contracting HIV by this method is relatively low, but that she should be more careful in the future.
B. Convene a meeting of the nursing staff and ask if anyone on the ward is aware of the patient's HIV status.
C. Order the test, as the nurse requests.
D. Review the patient's chart and medical history for clinical signs consistent with HIV infection.
E. Talk to the patient and order the test only if the patient gives his permission.
F. Tell the nurse that you will order the test if she can obtain the patient's permission.
blood. The nurse is anxious, and wants the physician to order that the patient's existing blood sample be tested for HIV. The physician is aware that the patient has a history of homosexual encounters, although neither the physician nor the nurse are aware of the patient's HIV status. At this point, the physician should do which of the following?
A. Assure the nurse that the probability of contracting HIV by this method is relatively low, but that she should be more careful in the future.
B. Convene a meeting of the nursing staff and ask if anyone on the ward is aware of the patient's HIV status.
C. Order the test, as the nurse requests.
D. Review the patient's chart and medical history for clinical signs consistent with HIV infection.
E. Talk to the patient and order the test only if the patient gives his permission.
F. Tell the nurse that you will order the test if she can obtain the patient's permission.